KOMZ (Kazan Optical and Mechanical Plant) first started to operate on 8th of February 1940 — the date of registration by a State body in the list of enterprises of the former USSR. In the beginning KOMZ developed products of GOMZ, located in Leningrad. The professional managers and skilled personnel were transferred to Kazan in order to increase the quality of goods and streamline production methods.

In late 1941 KOMZ made the first large scale run of 5000 binoculars with 6-power magnification followed by military mortar and tank scopes. At the beginning of 1942, a famous artillery scope “GERDA PG” was designed here. By the end of 1942 the number of binoculars manufactured at KOMZ reached 15000 pcs a month. It is at KOMZ that the first conveyor was launched to produce optics products on a large scale, and by the end of 1945 the output increased up to 25000 pcs a month.  During the Second World War KOMZ produced a wide range of optics instruments:   Following the War much of the Carl Zeiss Jena technology was moved from the DDR to the Komz factory, hence the remarkable similarity of models.  Komz improved on the eyepieces of the DDR binoculars and continues to produce binoculars to this day, most notably for the Russian Army.

The case of these binoculars is dated 1995 suggesting that they are the later versions with multi coated optics.  They are certainly a very bright and sturdy binocular, easy to handle and with a great view.

These binoculars are amongst the best of this type I have seen.  They are virtually as new and try as I might I cannot detect any internal fungus dirt or dust - they are immaculate.  I use Swarovski binoculars but have a pair of these as a backup.  They are naturally not as good but in terms of clarity are not far short.   You will gather that I am a fan of these - all my family have a pair.